As you were, carry on, thank you, good night.

 

throw them the keys - Criticism will turn to envy

 

Thanks again fellows, just going to enjoy my car and keep on motoring as should everybody else

 

Military sales program .

Don't worry, when you get out people are still going to ask "why did you buy that? ". These are the people who don't get it. They never will. Stick with the people who smile and want to know more about your car.

 

Buried in here is some truth.....

Senior NCO's know where apprentice military types typically get in trouble. A flashy new car at a crazy monthly payment is an all too common fatal flaw.

And then the dealer feels that since the buyer is in the military all he needs to is call the unit and get his money...not true, but wanna know how many hours over the years I've spent on the phone and in counseling sessions about these situations?

Talk to your supervisor, if you were smart enough to get a decent deal with payments you can handle they just may be impressed with your smarts and start giving you more responsible tasks.

A senior O6 sends

{some of us like cool cars too}

 

Wow - this must be the new military, if so I'm truly impressed. When I was in the army (quite a while ago) my Sgt's could care less where I spent my $120.00 a month. As long as I didn't park in their spot.

In any case it isn't because you're young Cooper_Ski, I,m 56 and got my new MINI 2 months ago. I got the old stink eye from some of my co-workers and others wondered aloud if I was having a mid-life crises. I reckon I should have had that 10 or 20 years ago! Motor on troop, and thanks for your service!

 

Cooper_Ski,
I got my first brand new car when i was 20 (1990 Mini Studio 2) my mother had to co-sign but had a good steady job and i made all the payments.
If you have the chance to buy a new car be it a MINI or something else "power to you". They are just jealous that they were not able to get a new car when they were young........ So i would keep your spirits high, keep up with the payments........ and you can rant on NAM to your hearts content.. As we MINIacs will be your suport ......

Scott

 

An example of why those above you might be looking out for you:


While I was in the NAVY we had an airman (E-3) that came to the squadron with a brand new Ford Mustang. Everyone was admiring it (well most people...I'm not a huge mustang fan), but some of our E-6's and above said that he was stepping in a little to deep. We all lived in the barracks at the time and had plenty of spendable money...so let him do what he wants! Well about 4 days later our squadron got a call from the dealership asking if Airman Bauney had planned on returning their car from his test drive!!!

I'm sure your supervisors have seen it all and are just trying to look out for you...take it lightly, and make your payments to let them know you aren't one of the many "Airman Bauney's" they have seen come and go

-Jake

 

LOL I just turned 40 and am buying my MCS. I know it is not right on topic, but I have a little rant too--I frankly cannot handle the macho judgemental BS that I hear when I tell people what I am buying. When I was talking RX8 they all understood and encouraged it. When I mention MINI, I get laughs and funny looks and ridiculous comments like "isn't that a girls car" or "aren't you a little old for that"?

It seems like people are buying larger and larger cars in the US and I am very disturbed by it, but I generally keep quiet among friends and co-workers because you never know which of the 120 lb housewives in the room is driving a Ford Excursion at 11 mpg.

Yet, for all that I keep quiet and tactful, those same people have a good laugh at my expense for buying a MINI. What is wrong with this picture? The US = 5% of the world population and contributes 25% of the pollution, but I am the one on the defensive? Even Bush agrees--his administration said if everyone traded in their SUV for a sedan the US could stop relying on foreign oil altogether...but God forbid people have to bend their head to get in their car and give up the 14 cupholders.

In the meantime, anyone else that has a problem with my decision...can kiss my Cooper.

 

Welcome to NAM Timallen20. Those naysayers will be singing a different tune when they try to keep up with you in the twisties, and the pit stops!

That Bush thing got to me though - it means I'm going to have to agree with him on something.

 

maybe it means he is agreeing with you

 

Upon further review: Timallen20 wrote "Bush agrees--his administration said if everyone traded in their SUV for a sedan the US could stop relying on foreign oil altogether..."

So, it's not really Bush who agrees with me, but apparently someone in his administration. Karl Rove perhaps? I've been hearing some strange clicks on my telephone.

 

I know exactly how you feel... I am 19 and an A1C stationed in ND...People don't question others when they buy a 20 or 30 thousand dollar truck but when you buy a small sports car they give you the third degree... I have noticed from our great color coded DOD stickers that other than the civilans (teachers and contractors) the 4 other MINIs are all owned by Airmen...

 

Timallen20,

Just remember and remind them that when gas prices hit upwards of $3 a gallon, whose gas tanks will cost $30-35 to fill, and whose tanks will cost over $75!!

-Paul!

 

Begging comment Re: "Defending the little guy" argument:

If thet think you're too irresponsible to handle your own finances and require outside input and monitoring, what right do they have teaching you to fly crap, fix the crap that flies, shoot a gun, etc.?

I say a big hefty eye-roll is in order the next time someone questions your judgement. And if they continue, I suggest taht you suggest they earn the right to comment when they take over your car/insurance payments.

 

Ski...I get that all the time. I'm a SSgt. in the Air Force stationed at Luke A.F.B. I am 27 years old and have a 01 Jetta 1.8T, 02 BMW 325ci and an 03 Cooper. Everbody dogs me and it's my/your own business. I feel that the military IS sticking their noses where it doesn't belong but at the same time looking out for you. (It just depends on who's asking/telling). Do your own thing and your the ONLY one who knows if your getting into financial irresponsibility. Welcome.

 

I know we're supposed to lay off the politics, but I absolutely cannot let this go without pointing out that Bush is in favor of drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge rather than pushing automakers to improve fuel economy in the slightest. If it were not for him, the Senate would not have in effect voted to approve drilling in the ANWR this past week. Sorry timallen20, but you're WAY off if you think that Bush shares one tiny fragment of the philosophy that led you to buy your MINI. More oil consumption = higher oil prices = more profit for his friends = more Republican campaign contributions.

Mods, delete this post if you must, but if you do, edit the other ones to take the Bush garbage out of them.

 

So now let's blame Bush for all the gas hog cars out there too.

Not that we had any when Clinton was in office.

Get real, or least get your head out of the sand. Your party lost - get over it.

 

....was that it is a great handling (in spite of FWD) well equipped, very enjoyable car to drive. It brings a smile to my face and it was about the only car that I could find that could accomplish that and still easily carry my mother's wheelchair and/or walker.

I am not very concerned about its fuel mileage. It's better than some (including my current car) and worse than others.

I couldn't possibly care less what the greenies, democrats, urban leagues, communists, fascists, *****, opec, talibans, republicans, luddites, flat-earthers, mothers against drunk drivers, the ama, the aba, the eieio, or anyone else [insert your favorite special interest group] thnks about it. None of those groups are writing the check and none of them will be using it either.

To me, the MINI "philosophy" is all about enjoyment of driving not furtherance of a political agenda regardless of whether it's on the left or right.

This thread is supposed to be about a young serviceman who is upset about people in his chain of command voicing concerns about his major purchase of a MINI. I hope that he has made a deal that he can live with over the course of the full term of the note. If the people expressing concern are genuinely concerned about his well-being, that is a good thing. It never hurts to have others looking out for you. If it's hazing and harassment, then that's a wholly different ball of wax.

It's all in the approach.... I have a relative (by marriage) that constantly criticized every decision I made and everything I did as a teenager and young adult. 20 years later he still butts into my business. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it (nor tolerate it) now. Needless to say, I don't particularly care for this person. I have had some people in my life that have helped and guided me that I have the utmost respect for. They guided me while being respectful of my feelings and I knew deep down that they were looking out for me, not using me for a punching bag.

If you're defending the USA, you're underpaid. You deserve the very best of equipment, training, facilities, medical care, food, and pay that could possibly be provided. Many servicemen/servicewomen work in conditions that the average American couldn't even imagine.

You deserve respect and appreciation for the job you do.

Enjoy your MINI and stay safe,

Rawhyde

 

Saw a Ford Excursion on the freeway yesterday with a "WAR IS NOT AN ANSWER" bumpter sticker. I almost got into an accident, I was laughing so hard....

 

There jealous , just tell'em to stop hating and start participating,

liljack and matchbox

 

Rereading all this and I don't see where timallen20 is endorsing Bush in any way, nor was he dissing him. Quote:

"Even Bush agrees--his administration said if everyone traded in their SUV for a sedan the US could stop relying on foreign oil altogether... " Whats so inflammatory about this statement? I chose to have a little fun with it by commenting I'd have to agree with Bush on something. The fact is it is about the only thing I can agree with him about.

I also agree with pretty much everything Chrisnl said. The jist of this thread evolved just like any other and as such, nothing said here seems to far out of line to me. True - some of us lost the election, what we didn't do is lose the right to express ourselves. Of course the moderators might have a slightly different slant to that!

 

A funny thing that I found out was that alot of people think these Minis cost 40k +....I have some friends who were like "oh we can't buy new cars like you rich people...and I was like excuse me...bang for the bux you can't get a better car...the ofcourse responded with some thing about 40 k blah blah blah...and I just started laughing...anywho...maybe that's why...ignorance is everywhere

 

I think what you are experiencing is common in other fields too. There are many people who feel threatened or put out if a younger person has access to nice things. They feel like you need to be working for 20 years before you earn the right to have things that are as nice as what they have.


Don't worry about it. You'll never change their opinion and they will never understand yours. Just do what you know is best and enjoy the nice things that you have.

 

I second all of that! Thank you for helping to protect all the liberties that I take for advantage each and every day.

Congrats on your car. You should get props for wanting something and being responsible about getting it.
I have a friend in the navy who is going to be 21 this year and I bet you anything he will have a C5 Corvette before the year is done...
I too know what you are dealing with when you talk about all flak people give you since you are young with a new car... I am 19 (my MINI will be in my possession in about 3 weeks) and I cannot believe how many people feel it is their business to bother me about my car. I know that I can afford it and I am being responsible about it...
So plaster a smile on your face the next time they bother you and like someone before me said- calmly offer to explain what a great car the MINI is and watch their reaction change!

late addition- here is my rant: I HATE the lack of respect I get when I mention that I am getting a new car... Everyone assumes that Daddy is paying for it, not me! Even my MA thought that! (after I had talked with him a few hundred times and he had done all his business with ME) GRRRR!